Keighley - Salvation Army

THE OPENING

The town taken by storm without bloodshed or a broken bone, only a good crush and warmth that made you hot on a cold wintry day, and the only head that was kicked in and smashed, was the head of the drum, which belonged to the proprietor of the theatre we have taken, and he wanted his drum next day, to take to another town, ard now he says he must go without. Hallelujah! We can put a new head on a drum sooner than mend anybody's own head if that had been broken.

Big bills about this little midland town have for a week past aroused the inhabitants by announcing "Blood and Fire," Bombardment of the Devil's Kingdom, by command of General Booth, of The Salvation Army, to be led by Major Cadman and some "Hallelujah Lasses." None of the attacking party knew a soul in the town, and arrived amid sleet. and cold, and hail late on Saturday night, and while surveying the place for the attack next morning were espied by the people, who soon ran after us, attracted by the Major's hat and The Army badges.

Lodgings turned up, and early on Sunday morning, December 18th, we sallied out, and saw inside the Barracks, which is a splendid theatre. The morning was wild with wind and rain, and to all human prospect not a dozen people might be got to listen to the story of Salvation.

The Major had his cornet, three-brothers came with brass instruments, and two "Hallelujah Lasses." with a tambourine, from Bradford. We borrowed the theatre proprietor's drum and with about ten strong, we came on to the wet streets, in the name of the Lord; the Major blew the "bugle call" and the people ran out as crow's fly at the shot of a gun. The streets, which a short time before were deserted, soon filled with solid working men, and when we got to the Market Place, it was so full, we had to borrow a butcher's big chopping block, and we got the Major and the Captain stuck up, and thus quieted the crowd, who could now see what was going on.

The first war song was:

"Soldiers fighting round the Cross."

And this took well, and the rushing of the people became so great, that the Major and Captain were only held up on the butcher's bench by the force of some of us behind, balancing the pressure in front.

Save a few nut shells thrown, the multitude had behaved admirably, and the band delighted them. The band force however was light, for the major turned round and said to his A.D.C. who for the first time was drumming. "Why don't you beat that drum?" He did beat after that and soon there was seen a hole in its head.

"The Tyneside Lass" Captain Woodruff, her Lieutenant (Aldrid) from Mansfield, and the Major spoke and preached Christ as best they could in the crush, and then they jumped down and we suddenly made off to march, but now the battle began, but it was not a battle of blood, but to keep on your feet with the hundreds that pressed and pushed us on all sides. It was in this battle the head of the poor drum got kicked in and carried off slain to the Barracks, which with tremendous difficulty we entered owing to the anxious throng without.

The spacious building soon filled with a proper congregation of genuine working men, who behaved in the most creditable fashion. The only bad behaviour they showed was, when the Major gave out, the "Hallelujah Lass," from Bradford, would sing a solo; they all clapped their hands, forgetting it was Sunday, and that the theatre was converted. They were very good and teachable, however, and heard the word with gladness, and soon bought up every hymn-book we could lay our hands on. Not knowing anybody, to borrow a wagon and a horse from for a platform, in the afternoon, we could not hold an open-air meeting, but went into the market, and being instantly crowded in by a rushing throng, a march was at once started, and it took a desperate struggle all along the route to keep on our feet. Some reinforcements arrived from Bingley and Bradford, and we hooked up and kept the sisters as best we could from being knocked down.

Arriving at the theatre, we found it nearly full, and soon it was packed up, and the Major started off a grand Hallelujah Meeting; the Lieutenant sang the solo, "Beautiful City" and then the Major sang what he called his favourite,

"The Devil and me, we can't agree."

This set them all laughing, but when he told them to be "good lads," they obeyed, and soon had them singing the chorus so loudly that the whole place rang again and again, and he told them and they behaved very well indeed, and they might come again. He explained also the objects of The Army, and the origin of it. Everybody seemed to give The Salvation Army a most hearty welcome. Hallelujah for the capture of Keighley without a single head being broken, only the head of the drum.

From, "The War Cry," page 4, 29th December 1881.

Opened fire here three weeks ago against tremendous odds, but the enemy is routed, and many of the worst of characters

captured, and joining our ranks and fighting well under the colours.

From, "The War Cry," Page 2, 12th January 1882

Theatre packed every night, 100 prisoners taken this week: the great platform is filled with living wonders. An infidel got shot during the week, The wound was deep, he was unable to work or sleep, and at last was compelled to send for the Captain, and after two hours hard fighting, the powers of hell gave way and the man was saved. The publicans are all in a deep decline, and are afraid it will turn to be galloping consumption. Hallelujah! Trusting their resurrection will be in a cook-shop, our Soldiers believe in eating not drinking.

From, "The War Cry," page 2, 9th February 1882. 

Has got a wonderful work; wonderful congregations. Another place taken on Sundays, another lieutenant wanted. Meetings held in the Mills and at the Station in the middle of the day. The pigeon flyer and dog fighters cannot get up a match. If things go on, the publicans will soon be ruined. Keighley is the talk of the surrounding country. Keighley has done its very best, and has succeeded in raising the grand sum of £50. What a finish! All the Soldiers marched to the railway station to see us off. What triumphant singing and shouting! Outside and inside the Station, no end to testimonies, songs, firing volleys. Up comes the train; what shaking of hands! what waving of handkerchiefs! What tremendous Salvation enthusiasm, the last utterances are "Tell the General to make haste and come; tell him to bring the colours." Oh, what red-hot people these Salvation Soldiers are! Everywhere they are all alike. Would to God the world was full of such!

From, "The War Cry," page 2, 23rd February 1882.

(also, page 3, 9th March 1882)

I found the Theatre packed with people. With great difficulty I got in. The meeting is past describing. The large platform was packed with young converts, the singing was glorious. I felt like jumping out of my skin, and a lot of prisoners were taken... War with the devil continued through the day, and more prissners were ceptured at night, adding to the joy of the multitude in Heaven. - Major Cadman.

From, "The War Cry," page 2, 16th March 1882.

(Capt Woodruffe).-God is working in a marvellous manner in this place. Great drunkards and swearers atre getting saved. Theatre packed every night. Two places on Sunday. Hundreds turned away, can't get in. A publican's wile was asked what she thought of The Army? She said they were doing her a great deal of harm, for on Saturdays, where she used to take £8, this Saturday she had only taken two shillings and ninepence, and had to pay thirty shillings for comic singers. Sunday was a grand day with us, five hundred at seven o'clock Knee-drill, One soul in the fountain. Grand open-air march with new band, which roused the devil up. Afternoon, good Free-and-easy. Evening, place packed to excess. Glorious times. One man, who, on Friday night, had a bag of coals and wood put on the platform for a lark, came jumping off the forms for Salvation, and, glory be to God, he turned the devil out, and he is now praising God with the "Hallelujah Timber Merchant" who shouted "Hallelujah!" Eleven more precious souls came weeping their way to Calvary.

From, "The War Cry," page 3, 13th April 1882.

I do not know where the meetings were held.